1. Fanta$y Football
By the Numbers…

2. $14 billion
Millions of workers playing fantasy football on the job will cost employers an estimated $14 billion in lost productivity this NFL season

3. $16 billion
According to the same report, the estimated cost to employers this year will be $16 billion if we include the workforce in Canada

4. 500,000
In 1988, there were an estimated 500,000 people playing fantasy sports of some kind in the US and Canada

5. 75 million
According to a study from American Express, 74.7 million Americans plan to participate in fantasy football in some form this season

6. 350%
How fast has the popularity of playing fantasy football grown? The number of people participating this year will be 350% higher than it was just ten years ago

7. 66%
66% of those workers are employed full-time according to the report from accounting firm Challenger, Gray & Christmas

8. $11 billion
According to a Rolling Stone report, fantasy football industry has blossomed into a booming $11 billion industry

9. 2/3
According to the Fantasy Sports Trade Association, 2 out of every 3 fantasy football players in the US and Canada are male

10. 42% of NFL fans who play fantasy football are men ages 18-34

11. $653
The average fantasy player age 18 or older spends $653 annually on fantasy football related activity (up from $556 two years ago)

12. $4.6 billion
According to an American Express study, Americans collectively are expected to spend $4.6 billion on fantasy football (figure includes food, beverage & fantasy football related products)

13. $75,000
According to the Fantasy Sports Trade Association, 53% of fantasy sports participants have a household income of $75,000 or more

14. 70%
The organization also suggests 70% of players this year will pay an entry fee to participate

15. 50%
Also according to the FTSA, 50% of fantasy sports players have a college degree (down from 57% two years ago)

16. 73%
What is the most popular fantasy sport? Football, in a landslide, at 73%.

17. 195%
NFL fans who play fantasy sports tend to dine out at various restaurants more than the general population, and they’re 195% more likely to have visited a sports bar in the past 30 days

18. 57%
Fantasy football players are 57% more likely than the general population to belong to a health club or gym

19. Fanta$y Football
Questions for
Class Discussion

20. Discussion Questions
1) How do you think the growth of fantasy football has impacted the National Football League (NFL)?
2) How do you think some of the information presented in this slideshow could help a sports marketing professional from an advertising or branding perspective?
3) In your opinion, should fantasy football be considered gambling? Should it be legal?
4) Why do you think fantasy football is more popular than fantasy leagues for other sports?
5) If you were a marketing professional working for a brand like Mtn Dew, how might you be able to tap into the popularity of fantasy football to connect with consumers?